Sensor Synchronization Mechanism for High Speed Interface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensor synchronization techniques result in high and variable synchronization errors, low sensor update rates, and inefficient utilization of the sensor interface bus due to asynchronous operations between sensors and electronic control units (ECUs), especially in remote sensor applications with digital interfaces.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a self-adjusting trigger technique that allows sensors to anticipate upcoming synchronization signals based on determined sampling patterns, enabling sensor operations to be performed before the signal is received, thereby reducing latency and improving update rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sensor synchronization techniques are used, then the sensor interface bus can be utilized, but high and variable synchronization errors occur and sensor update rates remain low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization errorVSAvoidsensor update rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor determines a sampling pattern based on received synchronization signals to identify when upcoming synchronization signals are expected, and triggers sensor operations before the upcoming synchronization signal is received. This preliminary action allows sensor data to be ready for transmission by the time the synchronization signal arrives, reducing synchronization errors while maintaining high update rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of sensor operations based on the determined sampling pattern. By continuously adapting when sensor operations are triggered based on expected synchronization signal timing, the system optimizes both synchronization accuracy and update rate performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If asynchronous operations are used between sensors and ECUs, then the sensor interface bus can be utilized, but inefficient utilization of the bus occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface bus utilizationVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor triggers sensor operations before the upcoming synchronization signal is received based on the sampling pattern, ensuring sensor data is ready for immediate transmission. This eliminates waiting time and bus idle periods, improving both utilization efficiency and reducing latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor continuously determines sampling patterns from synchronization signals and continuously triggers sensor operations in advance, maintaining uninterrupted data flow and maximizing interface bus utilization without idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11595143B2Synchronization mechanism for high speed sensor interface

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A sensor may determine a sampling pattern based on a group of synchronization signals received by the sensor. The sampling pattern may identify an expected time for receiving an upcoming synchronization signal. The sensor may trigger, based on the sampling pattern, a performance of a sensor operation associated with the upcoming synchronization signal. The performance of the sensor operation may be triggered before the upcoming synchronization signal is received.